Dickie possessed ability to inject selfbelief

WELLINGTON: New Zealand rowing is mourning the death of Olympic great Simon Dickie at the age of 66.

Former coxswain Dickie, who died suddenly in Taupo on Wednesday, is one of just nine Kiwis to have won more than two Olympic medals. The only other rower in that group is contemporary great Mahe Drysdale.

Drafted into the national squad straight out of Whanganui Collegiate at 17, Dickie’s first medal came in 1968 in Mexico City when the coxed four won New Zealand’s first rowing gold.

He repeated the dose four years later at Munich as part of the famed men’s eight.

Dickie emerged from retirement to clinch a bronze medal with the eight at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Small in stature but large in voice and personality, Dickie was widely respected in the rowing fraternity.

His ability to inject rowers with selfbelief was regarded as a key element of the big boat success New Zealand enjoyed during his competitive years.

After his rowing career, Dickie became involved in business ventures in Taupo.

New Zealand Olympic Committee president Mike Stanley, a former Olympic rower, said Dic kie was an inspiration to a generation of New Zealanders.

‘‘With two gold medals won in successive games and a bronze medal Simon was one of our most celebrated Olympians,’’ Stanley said.

‘‘He was plucked from obscurity to become the inspirational voice of the 1968 coxed four and the eight in 1972. He was a great Olympian and will be sorely missed.’’ — NZN